Liverpool have eight players on the plane to Russia—well, on several planes actually—and each will be hoping to play a major part for their respective nations once the 2018 World Cup gets underway.
Inevitably, some will go on to have a greater impact than others, whether it be because of the manager’s choices, the limitations of their team or simply being unable to reproduce their best form on the biggest stage.
Here we look at the likely order of impact in Russia from Liverpool’s contingent, in reverse order.
8. Simon Mignolet, Belgium
Second-choice goalkeepers don’t generally tend to make much of an impact.
Mignolet getting a chance depends on Thibaut Courtois being unavailable, which would mean Belgium have considerable issues to worry about.
7. Marko Grujic, Serbia
A surprise call-up, Grujic impressed enough in the pre-tournament training sessions to earn a place in the final 23.
He might not be a starter, but he has the fearlessness and physicality to be an interesting option off the bench for Serbia, while his height and aerial power make him a good weapon in both penalty boxes.
6. Jordan Henderson, England
Henderson could have been skipper for his nation, but he’s potentially got a battle on to even start, depending on the opposition. If England boss Gareth Southgate opts for one holding midfielder and two more adventurous options, it’s Henderson or Eric Dier, not an easy choice.
He should see plenty of game time throughout the tournament, but his main role is one of control, of locking the back door, of protecting against transitions.
It’s not always easy to impact from that position, and against the better teams he’ll need someone else alongside him.
5. Trent Alexander-Arnold, England
Here’s a prediction: Trent not to start as England’s right wing-back when their World Cup kicks off, but to be very much the first choice by the time it’s over.
At some point he’ll be called upon with his athletic running, his tremendous delivery from out wide and his much-improved defensive work, tracking runners against counter-attacks. And when he is given the shout, he’s not going to let the side down.
He can be a breakout star in Russia just as he has been in the Champions League.
4. Sadio Mane, Senegal
Senegal have a reasonable chance of making it through their Group H encounters with enough points to progress—it’s an even quartet with Poland, Colombia and Japan to play against.
Mane finished the season in tremendous form for the Reds, high on confidence and surely ready to shine on the biggest stage.
A goal or two along the way wouldn’t go amiss, but he’s certainly capable. Could be the defining factor in helping his nation be the African side which goes furthest in Russia.
3. Dejan Lovren, Croatia
A guaranteed starter and a key man for the Croatia side, if Lovren and his fellow defenders are on top of their game, progression to the last 16 is very much a possibility.
In a talented team from a technical standpoint, Lovren can be a pillar at the back which shuts up shop and allows the team to progress with no mistakes.
He might not win the plaudits if they beat the likes of Nigeria, or even provide a result against Argentina, but there’s no doubt he’ll be a key figure if they progress to the last 16 and beyond.
2. Mohamed Salah, Egypt
It’s all relative: Henderson could play a bit-part role for taking England to the final; but his personal impact wouldn’t likely be huge. For Egypt though, a win in Group A would be massive and progression to the knock-outs, near-unimaginable.
Salah, after recovering from injury, can help his nation achieve exactly that. He’s by far the most important player, the only real goal threat, and the likelihood is vast that if they put in a team performance worthy of holding the likes of Russia or Saudi Arabia, it’s Salah who can make the all-important difference.
He’s already a national hero; helping them win a single, first-ever match at the World Cup finals would send him into god-like status.
1. Roberto Firmino, Brazil
Like Alexander-Arnold, Firmino faces a battle to be Brazil’s first choice, but the forward is so talented and confident that he can make an impact off the bench as well as sharing a starting role throughout the tournament.
Indeed, with Brazil expected to go deep and be one of the contenders, Firmino’s selflessness and penchant for a big goal could see him become one of their most important players in any position after Neymar, even if it is contributing from the hour mark onward.
Don’t bet against him ousting Gabriel Jesus at some point during the tournament, but even if he doesn’t, there’s still a big role to play for Brazil’s next-best forward.
